AUSTIN - Plans to remake the vast, empty parking lots surrounding the former Highland Mall into a bustling mixed-use project will start to take shape this fall when work begins on 300 new apartments.

The apartment complex will be on the south side of the property, which is now owned by Austin Community College (ACC). It should be complete by 2017, according to ACC and its development partner RedLeaf Properties.

Since taking over the mall, ACC has made a number of improvements, including transforming an old JCPenney site into classrooms and labs.

The mall’s last few remaining retail tenants — a handful of small shops and restaurants — recently moved out to make way for future phases of construction.

The buildings will be four and five stories tall, and will feature about 5,000 sf of ground-floor retail space aimed at locally owned businesses. The retail space will help camouflage a parking garage for residents.

Amenities will include a clubhouse with a co-working space, bike storage rooms and a host of eco-friendly features, such as instant hot water and energy-efficient appliances and windows.